Camp Hidden Lake: July 17-23, 2022

What is Camp Hidden Lake?
Camp Hidden Lake is a retreat center and summer camp in Dahlonega, Georigia owned by the Life Teen (& EDGE) Incorporation. The mission of Life Teen and EDGE is to bring teens closer to Christ with a special focus on the Eucharist. This camp combines adventure and faith in a unique setting, gathering hundreds of young Catholics from around the country for a week of encountering Christ in new ways. Hidden Lake has something for every student whether they love sports, music, crafts, swimming and more, there is a place for them. Students will spend their week meeting other young Catholics, canoeing, navigating ropes courses, playing a myriad of sports, swimming the lake, praying in new ways, worshiping through music, receiving reconciliation, attending daily Mass, and going through the famous mud pit obstacle course. This is a week they will likely never forget! See more information on their website.

Who Can Attend Camp?
Camp Hidden Lake is specifically catered to middle school students and their chaperones. All incoming 6th grade students through outgoing 8th grade students for the 2022-2023 academic year are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Parents of middle school students are also highly encouraged to attend and experience Camp Hidden Lake with their children. Chaperones must be adults age 21 and older as of July 17, 2022. As a chaperone, you will be asked to drive one of the vans to and from Georgia, and be an engaged adult during camp, participating in activities alongside our youth. As a chaperone and faith mentor, we also expect you to help conduct conversations discussing the ways they have seen Christ working in their lives at camp and beyond.

What are the Details for Camp?

When: July 17 - 23, 2022 in Dahlonega, Georgia

Transportation
We will be driving two vans down to Dahlonega, Georgia under the insurance of Our Lady of Grace. We will depart on Sunday afternoon, July 17th and drive halfway to camp. We will stay overnight at a Catholic parish, then wake up Monday morning and drive the final few hours to camp. Camp ends on Saturday, July 23rd and we will arrive back in Noblesville around 11pm.

Food
Camp Hidden Lake covers all our meals while we are there, including a sack lunch to take with us on the final day. They are very attentive to allergies. Students will be responsible for a few meals on their own while we are on the road to and from camp. 

Cost
Camp Hidden Lake is one of the more expensive opportunities we offer in youth ministry. We recognize this financial undertaking and work to make this viable for your family to participate. Our scholarship fund exists for this exact purpose - to help cover the costs that you cannot. The price of our trip this summer is $700 per student. If your family is willing to allow us to drive your 7-passenger vehicle for the week, the price is reduced by $75 to $625 total for your child. 

Accommodations
We will be sleeping in air conditioned bunk houses at the campground. Students will need to pack their own bedding (sheets or sleeping bag etc.) for the twin-sized beds in the houses.

Covid Protocols
Camp Hidden Lake is committed to keeping the health and safety of their retreatants and staff as a top priority. In order to attend camp, each participant must  be "free of illness 72 hours before arrival," but there is not currently a mandated negative test nor vaccination needed to attend. For more information including cleaning protocols, housing, dining, and safety in regards to Covid-19, read details here. It is possible these policies could change before next summer, so we will continue to update families if we hear anything different than what they have posted.

Communication
OLG will communicate with parents via Flocknote, which will send emails and text messages as needed. This will be most especially helpful when it comes to confirming our safe arrival in Georgia, as well as giving an estimated time of return. We will also post updates throughout the week on our Instagram and our Facebook group.

Students are asked to leave their phones at home in order to be more present and engaged in their week at camp. Not having the distraction of their phone will allow them to focus on those they meet, be open to the way Christ is calling them, and particiapte more fully. As parents, you will be given the numbers of the chaperones (and the camp) in case you need to get ahold of your child for any reason.

Contact
You can contact edge@ologn.org with any questions before our trip takes off!

Required for Camp Hidden Lake
In order to attend camp, we need to gather some initial information so please fill out the form below and pay the $100 deposit. After completing this portion, your spot wil be saved and you will receive further information to register officially on the camp's website.